Just a few observations as the Xbox version of the game makes its way to stores:
--The ASB fan community reminds me a lot of the High Heat community two to three years ago. Kind of older, hardcore, and looking for a different type of game than your average gamer.
--ASB developers have been on this board for months answering questions (and even changing the game based on requests from people here). And they never once lost their patience while answering the same question for the hundredth time.
--Every review from EGM, OXM, or IGN has said that ASB has the worst batting stances, player faces, and distinctive animations of any baseball game on the market.
All three spent a good chunk of the review trashing fielder cam, which is one of two optional views.
--The following new features have not even been mentioned in any review, even in passing: online performance, custom soundtrack support, adjustable pitch speeds, selectable gameplay cameras, in-game tutorials. By the same token, what has been said about the actual gameplay has been universally positive, and every complaint so far has either been a minor cosmetic issue (crouch, animation transition) or something that can be changed in the options (pitch speed, gameplay cameras).
--Last year, OXM's reviewer said ASB was completely unplayable because the pitch speeds were too fast. This year he dismissed the game primarily because they were too slow (without mentioning that you can change them).
--There still have been no preview movies of ASB longer than one inning. After MVP came out and IGN stopped posting the full-game movies of that, they started posting full-game movies of ESPN and Fight Night. Almost everything that's been posted on ASB has been from OS or Next Level (thanks Steve and Michael!)
--I've been playing MVP for two weeks now and, while it's very interesting and different, it's mostly just reminding me of the things I love about ASB - commentary, meter-free gameplay, and authenticity topping the list.
--It definitely does not look like this is a game for casual gamers. And I couldn't be happier about that.
--The ASB fan community reminds me a lot of the High Heat community two to three years ago. Kind of older, hardcore, and looking for a different type of game than your average gamer.
--ASB developers have been on this board for months answering questions (and even changing the game based on requests from people here). And they never once lost their patience while answering the same question for the hundredth time.
--Every review from EGM, OXM, or IGN has said that ASB has the worst batting stances, player faces, and distinctive animations of any baseball game on the market.
All three spent a good chunk of the review trashing fielder cam, which is one of two optional views.--The following new features have not even been mentioned in any review, even in passing: online performance, custom soundtrack support, adjustable pitch speeds, selectable gameplay cameras, in-game tutorials. By the same token, what has been said about the actual gameplay has been universally positive, and every complaint so far has either been a minor cosmetic issue (crouch, animation transition) or something that can be changed in the options (pitch speed, gameplay cameras).
--Last year, OXM's reviewer said ASB was completely unplayable because the pitch speeds were too fast. This year he dismissed the game primarily because they were too slow (without mentioning that you can change them).
--There still have been no preview movies of ASB longer than one inning. After MVP came out and IGN stopped posting the full-game movies of that, they started posting full-game movies of ESPN and Fight Night. Almost everything that's been posted on ASB has been from OS or Next Level (thanks Steve and Michael!)
--I've been playing MVP for two weeks now and, while it's very interesting and different, it's mostly just reminding me of the things I love about ASB - commentary, meter-free gameplay, and authenticity topping the list.
--It definitely does not look like this is a game for casual gamers. And I couldn't be happier about that.
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